Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-19

THE HEALTH OF SCHOOL GIRLS.
Physical Development i'm the Prepa-
tory schools.
SUGGESTIONS MADE TO MOTHERS AND PARENTS BIZ
THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE ALUMNR-soCrAL
DISSIPATION, TIGHT Or INSUFFICIENT CLOTHING,
IRREGULAR MEALS AND OTHER EVILS.
In an article recently published In THE STAR
about the military drill and calisthenic exercises
for the girls at the High school, reference was
made TO the efforts OF the association OF Collegiate
Alunnae to promote the physical education of
girls. The researches Of this association at first
undertaken in order to refute statements that
college training was too severe for the more deli
cate organizations OF girls have been carried far
beyond the original object and now the associa-
ton has regularly organized department or
bureau OF physical education" Miss Lydia
n. Dame, the assistant principle of the High
school and a member OF the association of Col
legfate Alumnae has distributed among the girls
OF the High school copies OF bulletin or circular
On "Health In Preparatory Schools" Just issued by
the association. Miss Dame proposes also to get
eghth grade teachers of girls to distribute copies
among their pupils.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN PREPARATORY aCHooIs
"The position taken by this association from the
nrst, says the circular, "that education In gene
raj, as Well as college education in particular is
per sc physically beneficial rather than injurious
mas oeen only strengthened by all that the Stats
general tone OF the criticisms upon the results
published All indications and all suggestions
point to further work In the direction 81 better
phyalca development during the years imme-
dlateiy preceding college life, that Is during the
period when the girl Is fitting for college or for
mortality among young married women. the pro.
verbal lnvalfdism and the increasing number Of
nervous diseases arising from exhausted vitality
among even young girls point to q weakness al
ready established before the age OF eighteen. At
eighteen it is generally too late to undo the mis-
girls physical Life The association would, there
fore, again suggest to teachers and to mothers
some some directions IN which reform may probably
WORK Dy Calling attention to the following specific
evils existing among school girls"
EVILS AMONG SCHOOL GIRLS.
The evils enumerated are 1. Social dissipation
and excitement. 2. The misuse Of vacations 3.
Habitual loss Of suff1cient and healthy sleep. f.
Irregularity and haste in taking food the omis-
sion OF breakfast, and the use OF q stimulating,
unnutr1t1ouS diet, such as condiments, pastry,
etc. 3. Tight, heavy or insufficient clothing,
which unQueStiOnably increases the tendencies to
consumpttve, spinal and pelvic diseases. 6. Lack
or su1nclent and proper exercise. 2. Unsan1tary
conditions in the home or school-room. 8. The
omission OF instruction in sanitation and hygiene.
Q. The ambition OF parents and daughters to ac-
complish much In little time.
SOCIAL DISSIPATION.
In relation to social dissipation the circular
says: "Gtrls are too often stimulated to shine
socially and Intellectually at the same time. A
mother proves her daughters perfect health by
saying She has been able to go to parties and
entertainments four or five evenings week all
winter, ana she stands at the head OF her class
Dancing schools, church fairs, charitable festi-
VaiS. lectures, concerts, &C make demands upon
young girls still in school which are not made
upon boys at the same age. 1t is evident that at
an age when the rapid development OF both the
DDySlcal ana the mental system Is making such
large demands upon vitality there is not sufficient
strength TO endure any special drain In this add-
tional direction. Even II there be no breakdown
during school life there comes an inevitable PEN
atty in later years When the responsibilities and
III Ss nervous a eneTgy has
in girlhoOd."
As to the misuse OF the vacations the circular
remarks: sit is the testimony of many educators
That the school is hospital for Two or three weeks
after the holidays"
TIGHT CLOTHING.
Under the head OF tight, heavy or insufficient
clothing, it is stated physician Of wide expert
ence confidently asserts that this cause alone has
incapacttated more women than over-study and
overwork OF all kinds. The present fashion Of
heavy plaitings ana voluminous draper1es, which
throw weight upon the spine, is responsible for
corSetS, which impede circulation and interfere
with free movement make the daily ten minutes
OF gymnastics either mere farce or exhausting
be one OF the most healthful forms of exercise
when taken in dress which allows free lung ex-
panSfOn and vigorous movement. When, however,
the walker is weighted or hindered by tight or
heavy Clothing, or cramped by tight or high
heeled boots, it Is unduly fatiguing.
AS TO PROPER EXERCISE
the circular says: seven when a fair amount OF
time is spent in walking, Homework, gymnastics
or athletics 1T IS frequently misused result
In positive injury instead of benefit There is q
general miScOnceptiOn OF the proper object and
effects OF exercise, as shown in the remark never
supposed that mad properly exercised muscle
unless tired 1t so that it achedr This very ache
r1ed too far. The object OF exercise Is to quicken
the circulation Of the blood which serves as the
carrier OF oxygen and nutnt1ve material The use
OF special muscles calls the blood to those muscles
and stimulates growth and development by the in
creased nutrition. But the muscles, like the stOm-
ach, have a limit beyond which they
should not be forced. An ache or a feeling
OF exhaustion shows that they need rest
The muscles are, however, capable of more work
under some conditions than under Others and
exercise increasing the demand for oxygen is
most beneficial when taken in pure air and at the
right time. quick walk, not langu1d saunter-
after hearty meal or when the girl is faint with
hunger or already fattgued, 1t produces only ex-
haustton and indigestion. All forms Of gymnasttc
exercise are not only useless but absolutely HARM
rul, unless adapted TO the physical condition OF
the Individual, and taken in appropriate costume
Heavy skirts and tight clothing not only prevent
free vigorous movement, but by impeding the cir
coiation cause atrophy OF the parts compressed.